Page 4. SD Enthusiasts' Club Magazine - Summer 2010.
VEHICLES IN EXISTENCE.
In February David Jones wrote in to say:- "I had known about the ex-BP tanker GJD 124 N that was on a farm near Cranfield for a long time. I bought it principally for the engine and gearbox. But I quickly realised that the better 'N' series axles would fit my 1972 TBN OFT 983 K. In the ten years I have owned the S&D I have been plagued with endless brake problems. Last year I changed the gearbox and front axle and am currently changing the back axle having overhauled the brakes. Work, however is currently suspended as I have recently cracked a rib."
On your behalf I wished David a speedy recovery, and have been pleased to say that recently I heard that he has completed upgrading the brakes on his vehicle. Ed.
Point Cook Air Force Base Museum. Sydney, Australia.
John Williams a volunteer professional engineer at the Museum has sent photographs of the recently restored SD 'W' type airport fire tender which is one of a batch of ten built in 1950/51.
In a future issue it is hoped to show photos from the trials of these fascinating vehicles. The fire tender now looks resplendent in a bright yellow livery.
THE NATIONAL FORKTRUCK HERITAGE CENTRE.
Based at the Midland Railway Centre's Swanwick Junction station site, about a mile north of Ripley in Derbyshire in a purpose built museum Jim Brindley has assembled an amazing collection of forklift trucks.
I visited the centre on Sunday 18th April and was delighted to find among the exhibits the SD Model 82 Freightlifter that is pictured below.
The truck dates from1956 and is an ex-military machine. Equipped with a side shifting and side tilting fork carriage and powered by a Perkins P6 engine the truck is in need of some cosmetic tidying up but is still in working order. The museum acquired the truck in 2005 when a local contractor had no further use for it. There is every indication that the truck was stored outdoors for a number of years. In later years the Freightlifter was used for lifting military tanks on and off transport using long fork extensions which the museum also obtained.
There are many other fascinating forklift trucks in the collection.The rarest is the 1926 Yale stand-on counterbalance which not only is the only working truck of its type but also is the oldest forklift truck in the world. The oldest British forklifts on display are the 1946 prototype Coventry Climax
"ET 199", the 1946 Clifford "Aerolift" and a "Ransome Sims and Jefferies, battery operated, platform truck. Other items of note include the very first reach truck made by Komatsu in Japan and a prototype, rider operated Wrigley stacker from Wessex Industries of Poole in Dorset. Many other manufacturers are also represented with early machines made by Conveyancer, Matling, Hyster and Lansing Bagnall.
The curator also has an extensive archive of material concerning all aspects of mechanical handling. The realisation of this remarkable museum is down to the dedication of Jim Brindley and gives a fascinating insight into the development of forklift trucks.
This photo gives just a small idea of the range of trucks on display.
The 1926 Yale truck painted grey is to the right of the picture.
The museum is only open on Sundays or by prior arrangement.
I would highly recommend a visit For directions see http://nationalforktruckheritagecentre.org/ and note that a prior telephone call is advisable. The museum is reached via the Butterley station on the preserved Midland Railway.
This photo of a Model 82 Freightlifter loading an aircraft shows how the truck may have looked in earlier times in service with the Royal Air Force.
